Wenger prepared to spend big

Arsene Wenger is prepared to make more big-money moves at Arsenal , but will also persevere with youth development.

The Gunners boss broke with tradition over the summer as he secured the signature of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid in a club record deal.

Wenger has favoured a more prudent approach to player recruitment in the past, with one eye forever locked on the future - both on and off the field.

He insists nothing has changed, with plenty of emphasis still being placed on the work of a famed academy system, but the Frenchman also acknowledges that spending is essential if progress is to be made.

Wenger told Arsenal's official website: "The policy is exactly the same - I always want to bring the best players in here, world-class players, at the best possible price.

"And I want to continue to educate 60 to 80 per cent of the squad ourselves. The culture of the club, the way we want to play football and the way we want to behave, comes from within.

"The (Jack) Wilsheres, the (Aaron) Ramseys, the (Kieran) Gibbs - these kind of players have to be the culture of the club.

"Then on top of that, we want to bring world-class players who will help us to be even stronger."

Wenger, who splashed out over £40million on Ozil, added: "It's a big responsibility to spend that amount of money.

"But I feel comfortable with it because we had the money to do it. Before, we couldn't have done it because we didn't have the money available. It's as simple as that.

"I had a huge sense of responsibility when we built the stadium to get the club through it without going bankrupt.

"The first years were difficult, and also explained why we lost some players.

"Now we are in a more comfortable financial position, I - more than anyone - want the great players to play for Arsenal. If we have to spend the money to do that, I will spend the money."